Nepal trekking offers some of the most diverse and stunning
trails in the world. Often called a hiker’s paradise,
Nepal’s trails are adventurous and impressive and
can be taken on full-steam or enjoyed at a leisurely pace---it
all depends on your desires and abilities. In Nepal,
trekking has become the top attraction for most visitors;
nowadays there are literally hundreds of choices when
it comes to group treks, guides and trip durations. For
centuries only the most hearty and hardened Nepalese people
have eked out a living along the mountainsides of Mount
Everest, where rare blue sheep and snow leopards endure
a difficult existence in rough and often-changing weather
conditions. Since the first trekkers traversed Everest
in 1953 during the first of the Nepal tours, intrepid
travelers have been flocking to the area for their own
mountain journeys.
The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most well-known in the world; it begins around the upper part of Phakding and traverses the Dudh Kosi Valley. From there, the climb ascends toward Namche, a Sherpa capital and haven for trekkers. Namche is the gathering hub for those embarking on an Everest Base Camp trek. Mountainside villages cloaked in blooming wildflowers and large firs breathtaking scenes of mountaintop splendor. Large groups of animated people can be seen and heard planning Annapurna treks via Everest Base Camp.
Everest Base Camp is used by trekkers both ascending
and descending the mountain. A primitive-style camp that
serves in acclimatizing mountain climbers before they
ascend farther up onto Everest, the camp is located at
more than 17,000 feet up the mountain, or over 5,000 meters.
There are two camps known as North and South, the former
located on the Tibetan side and the latter on the Nepalese
side. Both camps are served by Sherpas who, much like
porters hiking the Inca
Trail, carry food and other necessities for hikers,
with the aid of animals. A few days’ stay is normally
sufficient for hikers engaged in Nepal trekking to move
on without succumbing to serious altitude sickness. Following
peaks and valleys and traveling through hillside villages
and towns, trekkers enjoy phenomenal views of the valley
below, the peaks above and everything between, whether
it be verdant or covered in ethereal blankets of snow.
Nepal tours throughout Everest take on many forms. Annapurna
treks are perhaps the most arduous, as they lead to the
highest accessible peak. Annapurna is the highest of a
series of mountainous peaks in the Himalayan
Mountains. At more than 26,000 feet, or 8,000 meters,
this peak is one of the highest in the world. There are
a total of six peaks that are part of Annapurna, which
sprawl over a range of 23,000 feet, or 7,200 meters. They’re
called Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna
IV, Annapurna South and Gangapurna. Picturesque terraced
farmland, jagged snow-covered peaks, sweeping valleys,
charming villages and blue skies are highlights of this
revered land, making Nepal tours a growing fascination
worldwide.
Whether you’re going as far as an Everest Base Camp trek and the trails around the area, or you’re planning on heading up as far as possible through the Annapurna region, there’s no doubt that a Nepal trekking adventure will leave a lasting impression. Annapurna treks lasting a few days to a week, or even as long as a month, allow visitors to experience a truly unique region and fascinating culture. Leaving no part of this unique geography unexplored, enterprising visitors can even take part in bungee jumping, paragliding and mountain biking throughout the Himalayas.
